Prime Minister’s Address at the World Sanskrit Conference

Summary

This article reproduces the speech delivered by the Indian Prime Minister at the World Sanskrit Conference. He congratulates scholars from across the globe who have gathered in Delhi and thanks the International Association of Sanskrit Studies for organising the event. The speaker highlights how Sanskrit has been part of the country’s civilisational core for millennia and how modern research is broadening its scope beyond ritual into science, philosophy and literature. He notes that the Indian government supports Sanskrit scholarship through institutes and funding, and points to international partnerships with UNESCO. The address surveys the contributions of great authors and scientists—from Kautilya and Caraka to Aryabhata and Bhāskara—who wrote in Sanskrit, and observes that the language functions not only as a repository of sacred texts but also as a carrier of scientific and secular knowledge. By quoting Jawaharlal Nehru, who called Sanskrit India’s greatest treasure, the Prime Minister stresses that cultural self‑confidence depends on preserving and studying this classical language. He encourages scholars to make Sanskrit accessible through modern technology and to translate its rich heritage into contemporary languages so that ordinary citizens can appreciate its wisdom. The speech situates the conference within India’s pluralistic tradition by acknowledging that Sanskrit has interacted with Prakrit, Persian and other languages, producing a vibrant intellectual landscape. Concluding, he praises the resilience of Sanskrit and expresses hope that young researchers will carry forward its legacy into the future.